Palpada is a genus of 85 neotropical and nearcticflower flies or hoverflies[1][2][3][4]
This genus is often colorful and bee-like. It is in the tribe Eristaliini containing dozens of genera [1] Common sister genera include Eristalis (99 species), Meromacrus (43 sp.), Eristalinus (100 sp.) and Helophilus (50 sp.).
The genus palpada is distinguished by:
Eyes with uniform pile.
Meron with fine pale hairs in front of or below spiracle.
Hind femur with basal patch of dense black setulae.
Cell r2+3 closed before wing margin.
R4+5 moderately to strongly dipped into cell r4+5.[1]
The larvae are aquatic and have a distinctive shape, usually being referred to as rat-tailed. The rat-tail is a breathng tube that allows the larvae to live in low oxygen water.
^Morales, M.N.; Marinoni, L. 2009: Cladistic analysis and taxonomic revision of the scutellaris group of Palpada Macquart (Diptera: Syrphidae). Invertebrate systematics, 23: 301–347. doi:10.1071/IS09006